Lupus Nephritis

Lupus Nephritis refers a kidney disorder, in which the filters (glomeruli) of kidneys are inflamed. It is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

SLE is an autoimmune disease which may typically cause harm to the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain.

Normally, your immune system can protect your body from outside invaders and it can tell from the difference between the foreign harmful substances such as bacteria and virus and the stuff inside you (like your organs). However, in an autoimmune disease the immune system cannot tell the difference between harmful substances and healthy ones. As a result, the immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells and tissues.

SLE may damage different parts of kidneys thus resulting in Lupus Nephritis.

Cause

The causes of SLE are unknown yet. However, the following factors may affect the occurrence of SLE:

Gender and age: SLE is more common in young women.

Genetic factor: SLE may run in a family.

Infections

Viruses

Environmental causes

History of lupus

If you have a history of lupus, you are at high risk of developing Lupus Nephritis. Lupus Nephritis usually arises within 5 years of diagnosis of lupus. However, in the early stage of Nephritis, you may do not show noticeable symptoms or discomforts at all and the traditional tests may not be able to reflect the renal injury either. Immunological test is important to find Lupus Nephritis if you are at high risk but do not have symptoms and it also can improve its treatment outcome.

Risk Factors

Anything that increases your chance of developing Lupus Nephritis is a risk factor. However, having risk factors does not mean you will get Lupus Nephritis. If you have risk factors, it is a good idea to discuss them with your heath care provider.

Lupus Nephritis is most common in women ages 20~40. The common risks of Lupus Nephritis include:

Genetic factor: If there is someone getting Lupus Nephritis, you are at risk of developing the disease.

Ultraviolet light: Expose to sunlight can put you at risk of developing lupus, especially among people who have sun-sensitive skin. If you have lupus you've probably already noticed that being exposed to too much sunlight can make your symptoms worse.

Smoking: Smoking can increase your risk for lupus.

Facts

Lupus Nephritis is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It usually arises within in 5 yeas of diagnosis of SLE.

Although in most cases of SLE, the patients do not show clinical manifestation of renal disease, the histological abnormality is very evident in most patients. Estimates of the prevalence of clinical renal involvement in people with SLE rang from 30%~90%. In fact, Lupus Nephritis can affect more than half of people with SLE.

Kidney Service China offers the patients with specially trained support team, including nurses, dietitians, therapists, helps make sure you receive personalized, coordinated care. We are doing everything to help you recover and get back to a healthy life.

Innovative treatments offer hope

If you are diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis, your doctor will discuss the best options to treat it. This mainly depends on the kidney damage and your overall health.

Your treatment for Lupus Nephritis will be customized to your particular needs. One or more of the following therapies may be recommended to treat the disease.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a great achievement in the biomedical area. It brings infinite promise to people with Lupus Nephritis.

Lupus Nephritis is attributable to autoimmune disorder, in which the glomeruli are inflamed. Immunotherapy aims at regulating the autoimmune process and controlling the symptoms of Lupus Nephritis by restoring the impaired glomeruli. Also it can enhance the immunity whereby the frequent infections such as urinary tract infection, colds etc reduce drastically.

Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy

Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy is a new application of traditional Chinese medicine. It is an external therapy which accepts the good and rejecting the bad of traditional Chinese medicine.

Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy can repair the impaired kidneys and improve the immunity through its curative effects including anti-inflammation, degradation, dilating blood vessels and improving self-healing ability of the body.

It's very important to get an accurate and early diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis. It can help you have a higher chance for successful treatment and avoiding suffering from kidney damage.

You are suspected to have Lupus Nephritis if your urine is bloody or has a foamy appearance, swelling around eyelids, hands or ankles.

Immunological test

In early stage of Lupus Nephritis, you may do not present discomforts or noticeable symptoms and the conventional tests also can not reflect the renal injury. Immunological can test out the harmful substances in blood which cause inflammation in kidneys. It is a good guidance for you to get an effective treatment in early stage of Lupus Nephritis.

Biopsy is the gold-standard to confirm the diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of kidney tissue for examination. As this test is invasive, it is usually not adopted unless necessary.

Although eating healthy foods can not cure Lupus Nephritis, certain dietary choices may help reduce symptoms and slow down your disease progression. So, what should you eat if you are diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis?

Raw fruits and vegetables

The experts in Shijiazhuang Kidney Disease Hospital recommend people with Lupus Nephritis to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods are abundant of vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients, which may help build immune system and relieve lupus symptoms as well as help prevent high blood pressure, heart failure etc.

Calcium

Approximately 25% of pre-menopausal women with lupus are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Calcium is an essential mineral that builds and maintains strong bone. Therefore, you should increase the consumption of foods rich in calcium.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential fatty acid. It may help decrease tissue inflammation and decrease pain and swelling in your body. Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 so you should increase its intake in your daily diet.

High quality protein

Protein a nutrient that is necessary to maintain normal immune system and to boost physical energy. However, Lupus Nephritis can cause high urea nitrogen level. Therefore, you should take proper amount of high quality foods in your daily diet such as tofu, white-meat chicken, fish and lentils.